Holder for inhaler article

ABSTRACT

A holder for an inhaler article includes a housing comprising a housing cavity for receiving an inhaler article a sleeve configured to retain an inhaler article within the housing cavity. The sleeve includes a sleeve cavity and is movable within the housing cavity along a longitudinal axis of the housing. The sleeve includes a first open end and a second opposing end. The first open end is configured to receive an inhaler article and the second opposing end of the sleeve is configured to allow air to enter the sleeve cavity. The second opposing end of the sleeve is configured to induce a swirl on the air entering the sleeve cavity.

This disclosure relates to a holder for an inhaler article and inhalersystems that include the holder and an inhaler article. The holder isconfigured to generate swirling inhalation airflow and transmit theswirling airflow to the inhaler article during consumption.

Dry powder inhalers are not always fully suitable to provide dry powderparticles to the lungs at inhalation or air flow rates that are withinconventional smoking regime inhalation or air flow rates. Dry powderinhalers may be complex to operate or may involve moving parts. Drypowder inhalers often strive to provide an entire dry powder dose orcapsule load in a single breath.

It would be desirable to provide an inhaler system that minimizescomplex parts, especially with regard to an inhaler article of aninhaler system. It would be desirable to provide an inhaler system thatefficiently depletes a capsule of particles during consumption. It wouldbe desirable to provide a holder for an inhaler article that inducesswirling inhalation airflow into an inhaler article.

It would be desirable to provide a holder for an inhaler article thatactivates the inhaler article and retain the inhaler article duringconsumption. It would be desirable to provide an inhaler system thatincludes a low-profile and reusable holder for an inhaler article thatcan activate the inhaler article. It would be desirable to provide anicotine powder inhaler that provides nicotine particles to the lungs atinhalation or air flow rates that are within conventional smoking regimeinhalation or air flow rates. It would also be desirable to deliver thenicotine powder with an inhaler article that has a form similar to aconventional cigarette.

This disclosure is directed to a holder for an inhaler article. Theholder is configured to induce swirling inhalation airflow to an inhalerarticle during consumption. The holder and an inhaler article may forman inhaler system to which this disclosure is also directed.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a holder for an inhalerarticle includes a housing comprising a housing cavity for receiving aninhaler article and a sleeve configured to retain an inhaler articlewithin the housing cavity. The sleeve comprising a sleeve cavity andbeing movable within the housing cavity along a longitudinal axis of thehousing. The sleeve comprises a first open end and a second opposingend. The second opposing end of the sleeve is configured to allow air toenter the sleeve cavity. The second opposing end of the sleeve isconfigured to induce a swirl on the air entering the sleeve cavity.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a holder for an inhalerarticle includes a housing comprising a housing cavity for receiving aninhaler article and a sleeve configured to retain an inhaler articlewithin the housing cavity. The sleeve includes a sleeve cavity and ismovable within the housing cavity along a longitudinal axis of thehousing. The sleeve includes a first open end and a second opposing end.The first open end is configured to receive an inhaler article and thesecond opposing end of the sleeve includes a tubular element having acentral passage in fluid communication with the sleeve cavity and atleast one air inlet. The at least one air inlet extends in a directionthat is tangential to the central passage to allow air to enter thesleeve cavity and to induce a swirled airflow pattern on the airentering the sleeve cavity.

Advantageously, incorporating a swirl generating structure into areusable holder may simplify the construction of the inhaler articlesand reduce the complexity of the inhaler system. Inhaler articles thatreceive swirling inhalation airflow may be easier to manufacture andhave a simpler construction than inhaler articles that have to includestructures to induce or form swirling inhalation airflow. The simplerinhaler articles may also present less environmental burden.

The second opposing end of the sleeve may comprise a tubular elementhaving a central passage in fluid communication with the sleeve cavity.The second opposing end may include at least one air inlet allowing airto enter into the central passage. The air entering the central passagemay be air external to the sleeve. The at least one air inlet may extendin a direction that is tangential to the central passage. The tubularelement may comprise at least two air inlets that extend in a directiontangential to the central passage. The tubular element may comprise atleast three air inlets that extend in a direction tangential to thecentral passage. Preferably, the at least one air inlet extends in atransverse direction of the sleeve. A transverse direction of the sleeveis a direction orthogonal or perpendicular to the longitudinal directiondefined by the sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve is cylindrical. Thesetangential air inlets cooperate with inhalation airflow to form orinduce a swirling or swirled airflow pattern into the central passage ofthe tubular member. Once an inhaler article is received in the sleeveand tubular element of the holder, this swirling or swirled airflowpattern is transmitted thorough the inhaler article and out themouthpiece end of the inhaler article.

Advantageously, tangential inhalation airflow into the tubular elementinduces rotational or swirling airflow within the central passage. Thisrotational or swirling airflow may be provided or transmitted into acapsule cavity of an inhaler article received within the sleeve of theholder. The rotational or swirling airflow induces a capsule containedwithin the capsule cavity to rotate and release particles into therotational or swirling airflow to the consumer.

The tubular element defining the central passage may extend into thesleeve cavity and may form an annular recess with the sleeve cavityconfigured to receive a distal end of an inhaler article. The tubularelement defining the central passage may extend into the sleeve cavityand forms an annular recess with the sleeve cavity configured to retaina distal end of an inhaler article. The tubular element defining thecentral passage may be configured to extend into a distal end of aninhaler article received within the sleeve cavity. Substantially all ofthe inhalation air enters the tubular element in a direction that istangential to the central passage.

Advantageously, providing features on the second opposing end of thesleeve that mate with a received inhaler article may improve thereliable airflow connection from the swirl inducing sleeve to theinhaler article received in the sleeve. An interference fit may alsoprovide a secure engagement of the inhaler article received in thesleeve so that the inhaler article will not fall out of the sleeve orassociated holder.

The holder may further include a piercing element fixed to and extendingfrom a housing inner surface. The piercing element is configured toextend through the second opposing end of the sleeve and into the sleevecavity along a longitudinal axis of the housing.

The holder may further include a spring element configured to bias thesleeve away from the piercing element. The sleeve may include anelongated slot extending along a longitudinal length of the sleeve. Thehousing may further include a pin extending from an inner surface of thehousing cavity. The pin may be configured to mate with the elongatedslot.

The sleeve may define a first air inlet zone having at least one airaperture through the sleeve. The first air inlet zone is proximate tothe first open end of the sleeve. The first air inlet zone may beconfigured to allow air to flow to an airflow channel formed between thesleeve and the housing. The sleeve includes a second air inlet zonedownstream from the first air inlet zone. The second air inlet zoneincludes the second opposing end of the sleeve configured to allow airto enter the sleeve cavity.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an inhaler systemcomprises a holder for an inhaler article as described herein, andinhaler article. The sleeve of the holder retains the inhaler articlereceived in the sleeve cavity. The inhaler article comprises a bodyextending along an inhaler longitudinal axis from a mouthpiece end to adistal end. A capsule is disposed within the inhaler article body.

Advantageously, a reusable holder that induces rotational or swirlingairflow reduces the complexity of the associated consumable inhalerarticle. This may reduce the overall cost of manufacture of theseinhaler systems and may improve the reliability or efficiency of capsuledepletion.

The capsule is retained within a capsule cavity and configured toreceive swirling inhalation airflow formed by the second opposing end ofthe sleeve. The capsule cavity is bounded downstream by a filter elementand bounded upstream by an open tubular element.

The inhaler article open tubular element mates with the second opposingend of the sleeve tubular element. The mouthpiece end of the inhalerarticle may form the mouthpiece of the inhaler system

Advantageously, the inhaler system where an inhaler article has an opendistal end that receives and transmits rotational or swirling airflowfrom the holder to the capsule cavity to induce rotation of the capsulewithin the inhaler article may reduce the overall manufacture cost ofthe inhaler system and may improve reliable depletion of the capsuleduring consumption. The replaceable consumable inhaler article providesa clean mouthpiece every time the consumed inhaler article is replacedwith a fresh inhaler article.

Advantageously, the inhaler system provides an inhaler system thatminimizes moving parts. Advantageously, the inhaler system utilizes aseparate holder that induces rotational or swirling airflow to theinhaler article received within the holder. This may enable the holderto be reusable and the inhaler article to be disposable after a singleuse. Advantageously, the inhaler system efficiently provides nicotineparticles to the lungs at inhalation or air flow rates that are withinconventional smoking regime inhalation or air flow rates. The inhalerdelivers the nicotine powder with an inhaler article that has a formsimilar to a conventional cigarette. The inhaler system described hereinmay provide a dry powder to the lungs at inhalation or air flow ratesthat are within conventional smoking regime inhalation or air flowrates. A consumer may take a plurality of inhalations or “puffs” whereeach “puff” delivers a fractional amount of dry powder contained withina capsule contained within the capsule cavity. This inhaler article mayhave a form similar to a conventional cigarette and may mimicconventional smoking. This inhaler article may be simple to manufactureand convenient to use by a consumer.

Air flow management through a capsule cavity of the inhaler article maycause a capsule contained therein to rotate during inhalation andconsumption. The capsule may contain particles containing nicotine (alsoreferred to as “nicotine powder” or “nicotine particles”) and optionallyparticles comprising flavour (also referred to as “flavour particles”).Rotation of the pierced capsule may suspend and aerosolize the nicotineparticles released from the pierced capsule into the inhalation airmoving through the inhaler article. The flavour particles may be largerthan the nicotine particles and may assist in transporting the nicotineparticles into the lungs of the user while the flavour particlespreferentially remain in the mouth or buccal cavity of the user. Thenicotine particles and optional flavor particles may be delivered withthe inhaler article at inhalation or air flow rates that are withinconventional smoking regime inhalation or air flow rates.

The term “nicotine” refers to nicotine and nicotine derivatives such asfree-base nicotine, nicotine salts and the like.

The term “flavourant” or “flavour” refers to organoleptic compounds,compositions, or materials that alter and are intended to alter thetaste or aroma characteristics of nicotine during consumption orinhalation thereof.

The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to relative positions ofelements of the holder, inhaler article and inhaler systems described inrelation to the direction of inhalation air flow as it is drawn throughthe body of the holder, inhaler article and inhaler systems.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used to describe the relativepositions of components, or portions of components, of the holder,inhaler article, or system. Holders or elements (such as the sleeve)forming the holder, according to the invention have a proximal endwhich, in use, receives an inhaler article and an opposing distal endwhich may be a closed end, or have an end closer to the proximal end ofthe holder. Inhaler articles, according to the invention have a proximalend. In use, the nicotine particles exit the proximal end of the inhalerarticle for delivery to a user. The inhaler article has a distal endopposing the proximal end. The proximal end of the inhaler article mayalso be referred to as the mouth end.

The holder for an inhaler article described herein may be combined withan inhaler article containing a capsule for activating the inhalerarticle by piercing the capsule, providing reliable activation of thecapsule (by puncturing the capsule with the piercing element of theholder) within inhaler article, and releasing the particles containedinside the capsule and enabling the article to deliver the particles toa consumer. The holder is separate from the inhaler article, but theconsumer may utilize both the inhaler article and the holder whileconsuming the particles released within the inhaler article. A pluralityof these inhaler articles may be combined with a holder to form a systemor kit. A single holder may be utilized on 10 or more, or 25 or more, or50 or more, or 100 or more, inhaler articles to activate (puncture orpierce) a capsule contained within each inhaler article and providereliable activation and optionally, a visual indication (marking), foreach inhaler article of the activation of the inhaler article.

A holder for an inhaler article includes a housing comprising a housingcavity for receiving an inhaler article and a sleeve configured toretain an inhaler article within the housing cavity. The sleevecomprising a sleeve cavity and being movable within the housing cavityalong the longitudinal axis of the housing. The sleeve comprises a firstopen end and a second opposing end. The second opposing end of thesleeve is configured to allow air to enter the sleeve cavity. The secondopposing end of the sleeve is configured to induce a swirl on the airentering the sleeve cavity.

An inhaler system comprises an inhaler article and a holder for aninhaler article as described herein. The sleeve of the holder retainsthe inhaler article received in the sleeve cavity. The inhaler articlecomprises a body extending along an inhaler longitudinal axis from amouthpiece end to a distal end. A capsule is disposed within the inhalerarticle body.

A method includes, inserting an inhaler article into the sleeve of theholder for an inhaler article, as described herein. The inhaler articleincludes a body, the body extending along an inhaler longitudinal axisfrom a mouthpiece end to a distal end, a body length, and a capsuledisposed within the inhaler article body. Then, moving the inhalerarticle and sleeve toward the piercing element until the piercingelement pierces the capsule. Then drawing air into the second opposingend of the sleeve of the holder to form the swirling inhalation airflow.This swirling inhalation airflow is then transmitted into the inhalerarticle while the inhaler article is disposed within the holder for aninhaler article. The consumed inhaler article may then be removed fromthe holder and discarded. Then a fresh inhaler article may be insertedinto the holder and the method may be repeated.

The inhaler article is configured to receive swirling inhalation airflowdirectly into the distal end of the inhaler article. The swirlinginhalation airflow then continues downstream into the capsule cavity andinduces rotation of a capsule received in the capsule cavity. Theactivated capsule then releases a dose of particles into the swirlinginhalation airflow downstream through the mouthpiece to the consumer.The distal end or upstream-most end of the inhaler article includes anopen aperture that defines an open central passage of the open tubularelement. Thus, the swirling inhalation airflow is created upstream fromthe inhaler article and swirling inhalation airflow enters the distalend or upstream-most end of the inhaler article.

An inhaler article comprises a body extending along an inhalerlongitudinal axis from a mouthpiece end to a distal end. A capsulecavity is defined within the body bounded downstream by a filter elementand bounded upstream by an open tubular element defining a centralpassage. The central passage forms an open air-inlet aperture extendingfrom the distal end of the body to the capsule cavity. A capsule isdisposed within the capsule cavity, wherein the central passage has asmaller diameter then the capsule. Thus the capsule may not pass throughthe central passage and is retained within the capsule cavity.

A holder for an inhaler article includes a housing comprising a housingcavity for receiving an inhaler article and a sleeve configured toretain an inhaler article within the housing cavity. The sleevecomprising a sleeve cavity and being movable within the housing cavityalong the longitudinal axis of the housing. The sleeve comprises a firstopen end and a second opposing end. The second opposing end of thesleeve is configured to allow air to enter the sleeve cavity. The secondopposing end of the sleeve is configured to induce a swirl on the airentering the sleeve cavity.

The second opposing end of the sleeve defines a swirl generating elementthat is configured to generate swirling or rotational inhalationairflow. This swirling or rotational inhalation airflow may betransmitted into an inhaler article to rotate a capsule and release drypowder contained within the capsule.

The second opposing end of the sleeve includes a tubular element havinga central passage in fluid communication with the sleeve cavity. Thesecond opposing end of the sleeve has at least one air inlet allowingair to enter into the central passage. The at least one air inletextends in a direction that is tangential to the central passage.

The second opposing end of the sleeve may have at least two air inletsallowing air to enter into the central passage. The at least two airinlets extend in a direction that is tangential to the central passage.The second opposing end of the sleeve may have two air inlets allowingair to enter into the central passage. The two air inlets extend in adirection that is tangential to the central passage.

The second opposing end of the sleeve may have at least three air inletsallowing air to enter into the central passage. The at least three airinlets extend in a direction that is tangential to the central passage.The second opposing end of the sleeve may three air inlets allowing airto enter into the central passage. The three air inlets extend in adirection that is tangential to the central passage.

The second opposing end of the sleeve may have four air inlets allowingair to enter into the central passage. The four air inlets extend in adirection that is tangential to the central passage.

The tubular element may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis of thehousing. The tubular element may be coaxial with the sleeve cavity. Thetubular element may be coaxial with both the longitudinal axis of thehousing and the sleeve cavity.

The tubular element having a central passage may have a diameter in arange from about 30% to about 70% of a diameter of the sleeve cavity.The tubular element having a central passage may have a diameter in arange from about 40% to about 60% of a diameter of the sleeve cavity.

The tubular element having a central passage may extend into the sleevecavity and form an annular recess with the sleeve cavity configured toreceive a distal end of an inhaler article. The tubular element having acentral passage may extend into the sleeve cavity and form an annularrecess with the sleeve cavity configured to retain a distal end of aninhaler article.

The tubular element having a central passage may extend into a distalend of an inhaler article received within the sleeve cavity. The annularrecess may be configured to retain the distal end of an inhaler articlewith an interference fit.

At least a portion of the tubular element having a central passage islocated upstream from an inhaler article received in the sleeve. Thetubular element having a central passage preferably is coaxial with thelongitudinal axis of the received inhaler article.

The sleeve tubular element having a central passage may be sized to matewith an inhaler article distal end open tubular element defining acentral passage. The sleeve tubular element having a central passage mayabut the inhaler article distal end open tubular element defining acentral passage. The sleeve tubular element having a central passage mayinterlock with an inhaler article distal end open tubular elementdefining a central passage. The sleeve tubular element having a centralpassage may fit within an inhaler article distal end tubular elementdefining a central passage. The sleeve tubular element central passagemay have an inner diameter in a range from about 3 mm to about 5 mm, orabout 4 mm.

The sleeve tubular element having a central passage may include at leastone air inlet that extends in a direction that is tangential to thecentral passage. The tubular element may include at least two air inletsthat extend in a direction tangential to the central passage. Thetubular element may include at least three air inlets that extend in adirection tangential to the central passage.

The one or more air inlets may extend through the sidewall forming theopposing second end of the sleeve. The one or more air inlets may extendin a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve orhousing. The one or more air inlets may extend in a direction orthogonalto the longitudinal axis of the tubular element having a centralpassage.

The sleeve tubular element having a central passage may include one airinlet that extends in a direction that is tangential to the centralpassage. The sleeve tubular element having a central passage may includetwo air inlets that extend in a direction tangential to the centralpassage. The sleeve tubular element having a central passage may includethree air inlets that extend in a direction tangential to the centralpassage. The sleeve tubular element having a central passage may includefour air inlets that extend in a direction tangential to the centralpassage.

Preferably the at least one air inlet enters the central passage at theinner diameter of the tubular element defining the inner diameter orperiphery of the central passage. Preferably the at least two air inletsenter the central passage at the inner diameter of the tubular elementdefining the inner diameter or periphery of the central passage.Preferably the at least three air inlets enter the central passage atthe inner diameter of the tubular element defining the inner diameter orperiphery of the central passage. Preferably the four air inlets enterthe central passage at the inner diameter of the tubular elementdefining the inner diameter or periphery of the central passage.

The two or more air inlets are preferably equally spaced from get otheraround the circumference of the central passage.

The at least one air inlet that extends in a direction tangential to thecentral passage enters the central passage proximate to an end surfacedefining a distal end of the sleeve. The expression “one air inlet thatextends in a direction that is tangential to the central passage” mayrefer to any portion of the air inlet that follows the direction of animaginary line that touches the edge, or boundary, of the centralpassage at one point, but does not cross it. The end surface forms asubstantially closed end surface allowing only a piercing element toextend through the end surface. The end surface extends orthogonally tothe longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The end surface prevents inhalationair from flowing out through the distal end of the sleeve. The endsurface directs inhalation air toward the sleeve cavity.

Preferably the at least one air inlet that extends in a direction thatis tangential to the central passage enters the tubular element having acentral passage at the end surface. Improved capsule depletion occurswhen the tangential air inlets are located closer to the end surface ofthe central passage.

The tubular element may be a unitary construction with the sleeve (thatis, integral to the sleeve) configured to retain an inhaler articlewithin the housing cavity. The tubular element may form a portion of thesecond opposing end of the sleeve. The tubular element and sleeve may beformed with an injection moulding process. The tubular element andsleeve may be formed simultaneous with an injection moulding process.

The tubular element having a central passage may extend or protrude intothe sleeve cavity. This tubular element having a central passage mayhave an outer surface having an outer diameter that faces the innersurface of the sleeve. The inner surface of the sleeve defining thesleeve cavity.

The tubular element having a central passage may extend into the sleevecavity a distance in a range from about 2 mm to about 10 mm, or fromabout 3 mm to about 7 mm or from about 4 mm to about 6 mm, or about 5mm. In these and other embodiments, the tubular element having a centralpassage may have an outer diameter in a range from about 4 to about 6.5mm or from about 5 mm to about 6 mm, or from about 5 mm to about 5.5 mm,or preferably about 5.25 mm. At least a portion of the tubular elementhaving a central passage may be inserted into the received inhalerarticle. Preferably at least 50% of the tubular element having a centralpassage may be inserted into the received inhaler article.

The tubular element having a central passage extending into the sleevecavity may form an annular recess with the sleeve cavity configured toreceive a distal end of an inhaler article. The tubular element having acentral passage extending into the sleeve cavity may form an annularprotrusion with the sleeve cavity configured to be received by a distalend of an inhaler article. The tubular element having a central passageextending into the sleeve cavity may form both an annular recess and anannular protrusion within the sleeve cavity configured to receive adistal end of an inhaler article.

The distal end of the inhaler article may be configured to mate with theannular recess formed by the tubular element having a central passageextending into the sleeve cavity. The distal end of the inhaler articlemay be configured to mate with the annular protrusion formed by thetubular element having a central passage extending into the sleevecavity. The distal end of the inhaler article may be configured to matewith the annular recess and annular protrusion formed by the tubularelement having a central passage extending into the sleeve cavity. Thetubular element having a central passage may be configured to extendinto a distal end of an inhaler article received within the sleevecavity.

The annular protrusion formed by the tubular element having a centralpassage extending into the sleeve cavity may fit into or slide into thereceived inhaler article distal end open tubular element. The annularprotrusion formed by the tubular element having a central passageextending into the sleeve cavity may fit within an inhaler articledistal end open tubular element. The annular protrusion formed by thetubular element having a central passage extending into the sleevecavity may form an interference fit within an inhaler article distal endopen tubular element. Thus, the central passage of the sleeve tubularelement having a central passage may fit into the inhaler article distalend open tubular element having a central passage.

The holder for an inhaler article may include a piercing elementconfigured to pierce or activate a capsule within an inhaler article.The piercing element may be fixed to and extend from a housing innersurface. The piercing element may be configured to extend through theend surface of the second opposing surface of the sleeve and into thesleeve cavity along a longitudinal axis of the housing.

The piercing element may extend through an aperture in the end surfaceof the sleeve. The piercing element may extend through a resealableelement in the end surface of the sleeve. The resealable element mayform an airtight seal or barrier at the end surface of the sleeve when apiercing element is not within the resealable element. The piercingelement may extend through an aperture in the end surface of the sleeveand substantially block air flow thought the aperture.

The piercing element may pass through the end surface and puncture thecapsule within the capsule cavity. The resealable element, if present inthe piercing aperture, may reseal once the piercing element is retractedor removed from the resealable element. Resealable elements or membranesmay include a septum or septum-like element. Resealable elements ormembranes may be formed of elastic material such as rubber, silicone,metal foil co-laminated with a polymer, or latex and the like, orcellulose acetate tow, such as high-density cellulose acetate tow.

The piercing element may be fixed to and extend from the housing innersurface, into the housing cavity along a piercing element longitudinalaxis a piercing element length. The piercing element may be recessedfrom an open proximal end of the housing by a recessed distance.

The distal end or upstream-most end of the inhaler article may contactthe second opposing end of the sleeve and urge the sleeve to traveltoward the piercing element. The sleeve may be co-axial with thepiercing element. The sleeve may align the inhaler article so that thepiercing element reliably activates capsule within the inhaler article.The sleeve or holder may also mechanically hold the piercing element andsupport the piercing element to prevent or mitigate deflection of thepiercing element.

The sleeve may define a first air inlet zone comprising at least one airaperture through the sleeve. The first air inlet zone may include two ormore, three or more, four or more, or from about 1 to about 10 airapertures, or from about 3 to about 9 air apertures. The first air inletzone is proximate to the first open end of the sleeve. The first airinlet zone is configured to allow air to flow to an airflow channelformed between the sleeve and the housing.

The sleeve may comprise a second air inlet zone downstream from thefirst air inlet zone. The second air inlet zone comprising the secondopposing end of the sleeve configured to allow air to enter the sleevecavity. The second air inlet zone may include one, two or more, three ormore, or four or more air apertures the direct inlet or inhalation airinto the second opposing end of the sleeve at a tangent to the tubularelement central passage to form swirling inhalation airflow.

The holder may include a retaining ring element fixed to the openproximal end of the housing. The retaining ring element retains thesleeve within the inhaler article cavity. The retaining ring has athickness sufficient to stop or retain the movement of the sleeve withinthe inhaler article cavity of the holder.

The holder may include a spring element configured to bias the sleevebetween a relaxed (or undeformed) state and compressed (or deformed)state towards the open proximal end of the housing or away from piercingelement. The spring element may be contained within the housing cavityof the holder and be compressed as the movable sleeve and inhalerarticle move toward the piercing element. The spring element may belocated between the sleeve and closed end of the housing and contactsthe sleeve and closed end of the housing. The spring element may bedisposed about the piercing element. The spring element may be co-axialwith the piercing element. The spring element may be a conical spring.

The spring element may be fixed to the distal end or closed of theholder. The spring element may be fixed to the second opposing end ofthe sleeve. The spring element may be fixed to both the closed end ofthe holder and the second opposing end of the sleeve. The spring elementmay be a conical spring. The conical spring advantageously may provide alow-profile or slimmer design so that it may provide a more flexibledesign and smaller overall compression thickness. The provision of aconical spring may also advantageously reduce the likelihood that thespring will buckle when compressed compared to a cylindrical spring.

The spring element biases the inhaler article off of and away from thepiercing element once the piercing element activates the inhalerarticle. The spring element may be disposed about the piercing element.The spring element may be coaxial with the piercing element. Thepiercing element may extend beyond the spring element when the springelement is in a relaxed position. The piercing element may extend beyondthe spring element when the spring element is in a compressed position.The piercing element may extend beyond the spring element when thespring element is in both the relaxed position and the compressedposition. The piercing element may extend beyond the spring element whenthe sleeve compresses the spring element.

The sleeve may include an elongated slot extending along a longitudinallength of the sleeve. When the sleeve comprises an elongated slot, thehousing may further comprise an alignment pin extending from the innersurface of the housing cavity. The alignment pin may be configured tomate with the elongated slot. Advantageously, the elongated slot andalignment pin provides for a reliable movement path between a relaxedand compressed position.

The holder may include a marking element that extends into the inhalerarticle cavity. The marking element may be configured to mark thesurface of an inhaler article. The marking element may extendorthogonally to the holder or inhaler article longitudinal axis. Themarking element may be configured to mark the outer surface of aninhaler article in a mechanical manner. For example, the marking elementmay be configured to scratch, cut, abrade, score, fold, or bend theouter surface of the inhaler article. The marking element may have asharp end configured to scratch the inhaler outer surface when receivedwithin the inhaler article cavity. The marking element may apply a colorto the inhaler outer surface when received within the inhaler articlecavity. The marking element may mark the inhaler outer surface when thepiercing element penetrates a capsule disposed within the inhalerarticle. Thus, indicating that the inhaler article has been activatedand may be consumed by a user. This may also advantageously prevent auser trying to reuse an inhaler article which has already beenpreviously activated.

The marking element may extend orthogonally to the holder or inhalerarticle longitudinal axis. The marking element may be formed of a rigidmaterial configured to provide a visual indication that the markingelement has contacted the inhaler outer surface. The marking element maybe fixed to the holder housing. The marking element may form thealignment pin, as described above.

The marking element may extend though at least a portion of a thicknessof the holder. The marking element may extend through the sleeve. Themarking element may extend into the inhaler article cavity and into thesleeve. The marking element may extend beyond the at least the sleeve amarking distance so that the marking element contacts the inhaler outersurface when the inhaler article is received within the inhaler articlecavity. The marking element may be aligned with and mate with theelongated slot of the sleeve.

Recessing the piercing element into the housing protects the piercingelement from coming into contact with surfaces not intended to bereceived within the piercing element. Recessing the piercing elementinto the housing may also protect the piercing element from beingdamaged or modified by surfaces not intended to be received within thepiercing element.

The piercing element may be recessed from the open proximal end by anysuitable recessed distance. For example, the piercing element may berecessed from the open proximal end a recessed distance of at leastabout 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, or at least about30%, or at least about 35%, or at least about 40%, of the housinglength. The piercing element may be recessed from the open proximal enda recessed distance of in a range from about 5% to about 50%, or fromabout 10% to about 40%, or from about 15% to about 40%, or about 20% toabout 40%, of the housing length.

The piercing element length may be any suitable length relative to thehousing length. For example, the piercing element length may be about25% to about 60%, or about 30% to about 50%, of the housing length. Adistal end of the piercing element may be fixed to the distal endadjacent to or at the distal end of the housing. The piercing elemententire length may be coextensive within the housing length.

The housing inner surface has an open proximal end diameter and a distalend diameter. The distal end diameter may be less than the open proximalend diameter. The housing inner surface diameter may taper down from theopen proximal end diameter to the distal end diameter. The housing innersurface diameter may taper down by any suitable amount. For example, thehousing inner surface diameter may taper down in a range from about 3%to about 13%, or about 5% to about 10% of the housing inner diameter atthe proximal end.

The piercing element is formed of a rigid material. The rigid materialis sufficiently rigid to pierce, puncture or activate a capsulecontained within the inhaler article. The piercing element may be formedof a metal. The piercing element may be formed of stainless steel, suchas 316 stainless steel, for example. The piercing element may be formedof a polymeric material. The piercing element may be formed of afibre-reinforced polymeric material.

The housing may be formed of any rigid material. The housing may beformed of a polymeric material. Polymeric materials useful for formingthe housing include polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, styrene acrylonitrile, polyacrylate,polystyrene, PBT polyester, PET polyester, polyoxymethylene,polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyethereetherketone, or liquid crystalpolymer,

The inhaler article may be received into the holder such that theinhaler article outer surface and the holder housing outer surface areconcentric. The piercing element longitudinal axis may be coaxial withthe housing longitudinal axis, and the inhaler longitudinal axis, whenthe inhaler article is received within the holder. At least about 50%,or at least about 75% of the housing length may be coextensive with theinhaler length, when the inhaler article is received within the holder.

The holder may be formed by insertion moulding techniques. The piercingelement may first be formed by moulding, for example, and then thehousing may be moulded around the piercing element bonding to thepiercing element. The piercing element may be a metal piercing element,the housing may be moulded around the metal piercing element fixing themetal piercing element to the housing. A metal piercing element mayinclude protrusions or recesses at the distal end of the piercingelement to increase surface area of the distal end of the piercingelement and improve fixation within the housing moulded material.

The inhaler article associated with the holder described above isconfigured to receive swirling inhalation airflow directly into thedistal end of the inhaler article. The swirling inhalation airflowcontinues downstream into the capsule cavity and induces rotation of acapsule received, or located, in the capsule cavity. The activatedcapsule releases a dose of particles into the swirling inhalationairflow downstream through the mouthpiece to the consumer. The distalend or upstream-most end of the inhaler article includes an open tubularelement that defines an open central passage. Thus, the swirlinginhalation airflow is created upstream from the inhaler article andswirling inhalation airflow enters the distal end or upstream-most endof the inhaler article and transmits into the capsule cavity to rotateor spin a capsule located within the capsule cavity.

An inhaler article comprises a body extending along an inhalerlongitudinal axis from a mouthpiece end to a distal end. A capsulecavity is defined within the body bounded downstream by a filter elementand bounded upstream by an open tubular element defining a centralpassage. The central passage forms an open air-inlet aperture extendingfrom the distal end of the body to the capsule cavity. A capsule isdisposed within the capsule cavity, wherein the central passage has asmaller diameter than the capsule.

The inhaler body may resemble a smoking article or cigarette in size andshape. The inhaler body may have an elongated body extending along thelongitudinal axis of the inhaler article. The inhaler body may have asubstantially uniform outer diameter along the length of the elongatedbody. The inhaler body may have a circular cross-section that may beuniform along the length of the elongated body. The inhaler body mayhave an outer diameter in a range from about 6 mm to about 10 mm, orfrom about 7 mm to about 10 mm, or about 7 mm to about 9 mm, or about 7mm to about 8 mm or about 7.2 mm. The inhaler body may have a length(along the longitudinal axis) in a range from about 40 mm to about 80mm, or from about 40 mm to about 70 mm, or about 40 mm to about 50 mm,or about 45 mm.

The inhaler article has an open distal end or upstream-most end definedby an open tubular element defining an open central passage. The opencentral passage defines a cylindrical open aperture extending from thecapsule cavity to the open distal end or upstream-most end of theinhaler article. The open tubular element defining an open centralpassage may have a length in a range from about 3 mm to about 12 mm, orfrom about 3 mm to about 7 mm or about 4 mm to about 6 mm, or about 5mm.

The central passage may have a uniform inner or open diameter extendingfrom the capsule cavity to the open distal end or upstream-most end ofthe inhaler article. The central passage may have an inner diameter thatis at least about 50%, or at least about 70%, or at least about 75% of adiameter of the body distal end. The central passage may have a uniforminner or open diameter in a range from about 3 mm about 6.5 mm, or fromabout 4 mm to about 6 mm, or from about 5 mm to about 6 mm or about 5.5mm.

The open tubular element defining an open central passage may be formedof a cellulose material. The open tubular element defining an opencentral passage may be formed of a cellulose acetate material.Preferably the open tubular element is formed of a biodegradablematerial. The open tubular element defining an open central passage mayhave a thickness in a range from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, or about0.5 mm to about 1 mm.

The filter element located downstream of the capsule cavity may extendfrom the capsule cavity to the mouthpiece end of the inhaler article.The filter element may have a length in a range from about 10 mm toabout 30 mm, preferably from about 15 mm to about 25 mm and morepreferably from about 20 mm to about 22 mm.

The capsule cavity may be defined by an inhaler article open tubularelement. The open tubular element may be joined between and in abuttingalignment with the tubular element forming the distal end of the inhalerarticle and the filter element. These elements may be joined with awrapper. The open tubular element defining the capsule cavity may beformed of a biodegradable material, such as cardboard or paperboard.

The capsule cavity may have an inner diameter in a range from about 6 mmto about 7 mm, or about 6.5 mm to about 6.7 mm. The capsule cavity mayhave a lateral length in a range from about 15 mm to about 30 mm, orfrom about 20 mm to about 25 mm.

The capsule cavity may be defined by an inhaler article open tubularelement. The open tubular element may be joined between and in abuttingalignment with the tubular element forming the distal end of the inhalerarticle and the filter element. These elements may be joined with awrapper. The open tubular element defining the capsule cavity may beformed of a biodegradable material, such as cardboard or paperboard.

The capsule cavity may have an inner diameter in a range from about 6 mmto about 7 mm, or about 6.5 mm to about 6.7 mm. The capsule cavity mayhave a lateral length in a range from about 15 mm to about 30 mm, orfrom about 20 mm to about 25 mm.

The capsule cavity may define a cylindrical space configured to containa capsule (the capsule may have an obround shape or a circularcross-section, for example). The capsule cavity may have a substantiallyuniform or uniform diameter along the length of the capsule cavity. Thecapsule cavity may have a fixed cavity length. The capsule cavity has acavity inner diameter, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and thecapsule has a capsule outer diameter. The capsule cavity may be sized tocontain an obround capsule. The capsule cavity may have a substantiallycylindrical or cylindrical cross-section along the length of the capsulecavity. The capsule cavity may have a uniform inner diameter. Thecapsule may have an outer diameter that is about 80% to about 95% of theinner diameter of the capsule cavity. The configuration of the capsulecavity relative to the capsule may promote limited movement of thecapsule during activation or piercing of the capsule.

The capsule cavity may be defined by an open tubular element. The opentubular element may be joined between and in abutting alignment with theopen tubular element forming the distal end of the inhaler article andthe filter element. These elements may be joined with a wrapper. Theopen tubular element defining the capsule cavity may be formed of abiodegradable material, such as cardboard or paperboard.

The configuration of the capsule cavity relative to the capsule maypromote the capsule to rotate with stability within the capsule cavity.The longitudinal axis of the capsule may rotate with stabilityco-axially with the longitudinal axis of the inhaler body duringinhalation. The configuration of the capsule cavity relative to thecapsule may promote the capsule to rotate with some shaking within thecapsule cavity

Stable rotation refers to the longitudinal axis of the inhaler bodybeing substantially parallel or co-axial with the axis of rotation ofthe capsule. Stable rotation may refer to the absence of procession ofthe rotating capsule. Preferably the longitudinal axis of the inhalerbody may be substantially coextensive with the axis of rotation of thecapsule. Stable rotation of the capsule may provide a uniformentrainment of a portion of nicotine particles from the capsule over twoor more, or five or more, or ten or more “puffs” or inhalations by aconsumer.

The capsule may be sealed within the inhaler article prior toconsumption. The inhaler article may be contained within a sealed orairtight container or bag. The inhaler article may include one or morepeelable or removable seal layers to cover the one or more air inletchannels or the air outlet or mouthpiece of the inhaler article.

The capsule may rotate about its longitudinal or central axis when airflows through the inhaler article. The capsule may be formed of anairtight material that may be pierced or punctured by a piercing elementthat may be separate or combined with the inhaler. The capsule may beformed of a metallic or polymeric material that serves to keepcontaminates out of the capsule but may be pierced or punctured by apiercing element prior to consumption of the nicotine particles withinthe capsule. The capsule may be formed of a polymer material. Thepolymer material may be hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). The capsulemay be a size 1 to size 4 capsule, or a size 3 capsule.

The separate holder, as described herein, forms a single aperturethrough the capsule received in the capsule cavity.

The capsule contains pharmaceutically active particles. Thepharmaceutically active particles may comprises nicotine (also referredto as “nicotine powder” or “nicotine particles”) and optionallyparticles comprising flavour (also referred to as “flavour particles).The capsule may contain a predetermined amount of nicotine particles andoptional flavour particles. The capsule may contain enough nicotineparticles to provide at least 2 inhalations or “puffs”, or at leastabout 5 inhalations or “puffs”, or at least about 10 inhalations or“puffs”. The capsule may contain enough nicotine particles to providefrom about 5 to about 50 inhalations or “puffs”, or from about 10 toabout 30 inhalations or “puffs”. Each inhalation or “puff” may deliverfrom about 0.1 mg to about 3 mg of nicotine particles to the lungs ofthe user or from about 0.2 mg to about 2 mg of nicotine particles to thelungs of the user or about 1 mg of nicotine particles to the lungs ofthe user.

The nicotine particles may have any useful concentration of nicotinebased on the particular formulation employed. The nicotine particles mayhave at least about 1 % wt nicotine up to about 30% wt nicotine, or fromabout 2% wt to about 25% wt nicotine, or from about 3% wt to about 20%wt nicotine, or from about 4% wt to about 15% wt nicotine, or from about5% wt to about 13% wt nicotine. Preferably, about 50 to about 150micrograms of nicotine may be delivered to the lungs of the user witheach inhalation or “puff”.

The capsule may hold or contain at least about 5 mg of nicotineparticles or at least about 10 mg of nicotine particles. The capsule mayhold or contain less than about 900 mg of nicotine particles, or lessthan about 300 mg of nicotine particles, or less than 150 mg of nicotineparticles. The capsule may hold or contain from about 5 mg to about 300mg of nicotine particles or from about 10 mg to about 200 mg of nicotineparticles.

When flavour particles are blended or combined with the nicotineparticles within the capsule, the flavour particles may be present in anamount that provides the desired flavour to each inhalation or “puff”delivered to the user.

The nicotine particles may have any useful size distribution forinhalation delivery preferentially into the lungs of a user. The capsulemay include particles other than the nicotine particles. The nicotineparticles and the other particles may form a powder system.

The capsule may hold or contain at least about 5 mg of a dry powder(also referred to as a powder system) or at least about 10 mg of a drypowder. The capsule may hold or contain less than about 900 mg of a drypowder, or less than about 300 mg of a dry powder, or less than about150 mg of a dry powder. The capsule may hold or contain from about 5 mgto about 300 mg of a dry powder, or from about 10 mg to about 200 mg ofa dry powder, or from about 25 mg to about 100 mg of a dry powder.

The dry powder or powder system may have at least about 40%, or at leastabout 60%, or at least about 80%, by weight of the powder systemcomprised in nicotine particles having a particle size of about 5micrometers or less, or in a range from about 1 micrometer to about 5micrometres.

The particles comprising nicotine may have a mass median aerodynamicdiameter of about 5 micrometres or less, or in a range from about 0.5micrometres to about 4 micrometres, or in a range from about 1micrometres to about 3 micrometres or in a range from about 1.5micrometres to about 2.5 micrometres. The mass median aerodynamicdiameter is preferably measured with a cascade impactor.

The particles comprising flavour may have a mass median aerodynamicdiameter of about 20 micrometres or greater, or about 50 micrometres orgreater, or in a range from about 50 to about 200 micrometres, or fromabout 50 to about 150 micrometres. The mass median aerodynamic diameteris preferably measured with a cascade impactor.

The dry powder may have a mean diameter of about 60 micrometres or less,or in a range from about 1 micrometres to about 40 micrometres, or in arange from about 1.5 micrometres to about 25 micrometres. The meandiameter refers to the mean diameter per mass and is preferably measuredby laser diffraction, laser diffusion or an electronic microscope.

Nicotine in the powder system or nicotine particles may be apharmaceutically acceptable free-base nicotine, or nicotine salt ornicotine salt hydrate. Useful nicotine salts or nicotine salt hydratesinclude nicotine pyruvate, nicotine citrate, nicotine aspartate,nicotine lactate, nicotine bitartrate, nicotine salicylate, nicotinefumarate, nicotine mono-pyruvate, nicotine glutamate or nicotinehydrochloride, for example. The compound combining with nicotine to formthe salt or salt hydrate may be chosen based on its expectedpharmacological effect.

The nicotine particles preferably include an amino acid. Preferably theamino acid may be leucine such as L-leucine. Providing an amino acidsuch as L-leucine with the particles comprising nicotine, may reduceadhesion forces of the particles comprising nicotine and may reduceattraction between nicotine particles and thus reduce agglomeration ofnicotine particles. Similarly, adhesion forces to particles comprisingflavour may also be reduced thus agglomeration of nicotine particleswith flavour particles is also reduced. The powder system describedherein thus may be a free-flowing material and possess a stable relativeparticle size of each powder component even when the nicotine particlesand the flavour particles are combined.

Preferably, the nicotine may be a surface modified nicotine salt wherethe nicotine salt particle comprises a coated or composite particle. Apreferred coating or composite material may be L-leucine. Oneparticularly useful nicotine particle may be nicotine bitartrate withL-leucine.

The powder system may include a population of flavour particles. Theflavour particles may have any useful size distribution for inhalationdelivery selectively into the mouth or buccal cavity of a user.

The powder system may have at least about 40%, or at least about 60%, orat least about 80%, by weight of the population of flavour particles ofthe powder system comprised in particles having a particle size of about20 micrometres or greater. The powder system may have at least about 40%or at least about 60%, or at least about 80%, by weight of thepopulation of flavour particles of the powder system comprised inparticles having a particle size of about 50 micrometres or greater. Thepowder system may have at least about 40% or at least about 60%, or atleast about 80%, by weight of the population of flavour particles of thepowder system comprised in particles having a particle size in a rangefrom about 50 micrometer to about 150 micrometres.

The particles comprising flavour may include a compound to reduceadhesion forces or surface energy and resulting agglomeration. Theflavour particle may be surface modified with an adhesion reducingcompound to form a coated flavour particle. One preferred adhesionreducing compound may be magnesium stearate. Providing an adhesionreducing compound such as magnesium stearate with the flavour particle,especially coating the flavour particle, may reduce adhesion forces ofthe particles comprising flavour and may reduce attraction betweenflavour particles and thus reduce agglomeration of flavour particles.Thus, agglomeration of flavour particles with nicotine particles mayalso be reduced. The powder system described herein thus may possess astable relative particle size of the particles comprising nicotine andthe particles comprising flavour even when the nicotine particles andthe flavour particles are combined. The powder system preferably may befree flowing.

Conventional formulations for dry powder inhalation contain carrierparticles that serve to increase the fluidization of the activeparticles since the active particles may be too small to be influencedby simple airflow though the inhaler. The powder system may comprisecarrier particles. These carrier particles may be a saccharide such aslactose or mannitol that may have a particle size greater than about 50micrometres. The carrier particles may be utilized to improve doseuniformity by acting as a diluent or bulking agent in a formulation.

The powder system utilized with the nicotine powder delivery systemdescribed herein may be carrier-free or substantially free of asaccharide such as lactose or mannitol. Being carrier-free orsubstantially free of a saccharide such as lactose or mannitol may allowthe nicotine and to be inhaled and delivered to the user's lungs atinhalation or airflow rates that are similar to typical smoking regimeinhalation or airflow rates.

The nicotine particles and a flavour may be combined in a singlecapsule. As described above, the nicotine particles and a flavour mayeach have reduced adhesion forces that result in a stable particleformulation where the particle size of each component does notsubstantially change when combined. Alternatively, the powder systemincludes nicotine particles contained within a single capsule and theflavour particles contained within a second capsule.

The nicotine particles and flavour particles may be combined in anyuseful relative amount so that the flavour particles are detected by theuser when consumed with the nicotine particles. Preferably the nicotineparticles and a flavour particles form at least about 90% wt or at leastabout 95% wt or at least about 99% wt or 100% wt of the total weight ofthe powder system.

The inhaler and inhaler system may be less complex and have a simplifiedairflow path as compared to conventional dry powder inhalers.Advantageously, rotation of the capsule within the inhaler bodyaerosolizes the nicotine particles or powder system and may assist inmaintaining a free-flowing powder. Thus, the inhaler article may notrequire the elevated inhalation rates typically utilized by conventionalinhalers to deliver the nicotine particles described above deep into thelungs.

The inhaler article may use a flow rate of less than about 5 L/min orless than about 3 L/min or less than about 2 L/min or about 1.6 L/min.Preferably, the flow rate may be in a range from about 1 L/min to about3 L/min or from about 1.5 L/min to about 2.5 L/min. Preferably, theinhalation rate or flow rate may be similar to that of Health Canadasmoking regime, that is, about 1.6 L/min.

The inhaler system may be used by a consumer like smoking a conventionalcigarette or vaping an electronic cigarette. Such smoking or vaping maybe characterized by two steps: a first step during which a small volumecontaining the full amount of nicotine desired by the consumer is drawninto the mouth cavity, followed by a second step during which this smallvolume comprising the aerosol comprising the desired amount of nicotineis further diluted by fresh air and drawn deeper into the lungs. Bothsteps are controlled by the consumer. During the first inhalation stepthe consumer may determine the amount of nicotine to be inhaled. Duringthe second step, the consumer may determine the volume for diluting thefirst volume to be drawn deeper into the lungs, maximizing theconcentration of active agent delivered to the airway epithelialsurface. This smoking mechanism is sometimes called“puff-inhale-exhale”.

All scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonlyused in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions providedherein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequentlyherein.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” encompassembodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictatesotherwise.

As used herein, “or” is generally employed in its sense including“and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term“and/or” means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of anytwo or more of the listed elements.

As used herein, “have”, “having”, “include”, “including”, “comprise”,“comprising” or the like are used in their open-ended sense, andgenerally mean “including, but not limited to”. It will be understoodthat “consisting essentially of”, “consisting of”, and the like aresubsumed in “comprising,” and the like.

The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of theinvention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances.However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same orother circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or morepreferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are notuseful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scopeof the disclosure, including the claims.

The invention will now be further described with reference to thefigures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative inhaler system;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an illustrative inhalersystem of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an illustrative inhalerarticle;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an illustrative inhalerarticle of received in the sleeve illustrated in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the illustrativesleeve;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another illustrativesleeve; and

FIGS. 7-10 cross-sectional schematic diagrams of illustrative vortextunnels with one to four tangential air inlets.

The schematic drawings are not necessarily to scale and are presentedfor purposes of illustration and not limitation. The drawings depict oneor more aspects described in this disclosure. However, it will beunderstood that other aspects not depicted in the drawing fall withinthe scope and spirit of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative inhaler system 100. FIG.2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an illustrative inhalersystem 100 of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram ofan illustrative inhaler article 150. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectionalschematic diagram of an illustrative inhaler article 150 of received inthe sleeve 120 illustrated in FIG. 2 .

The inhaler system 100 includes an inhaler article 150 and a separateholder 110. The inhaler article 150 may be received within the holder110 to activate or pierce a capsule 160 disposed within the inhalerarticle 150. The inhaler article 150 remains in the holder 110 duringuse by the consumer. The holder 110 is configured to form or induceswirling inhalation airflow entering the received inhaler article 150.

An inhaler system 100 includes an inhaler article 150 and a holder 110.The inhaler article 150 includes a body 151 extending along an inhalerlongitudinal axis LA from a mouthpiece end 154 to a distal end 156, andthe capsule 160 disposed within the inhaler article body 151. The holder110 includes a movable sleeve 120 that retains the inhaler article 150received in a sleeve cavity 122.

A holder 110 for an inhaler article 150 includes a housing 111comprising a housing cavity 112 for receiving an inhaler article 150 anda sleeve 120 configured to retain an inhaler article 150 within thehousing cavity 112. The sleeve 120 defines the sleeve cavity 122 and ismovable within the housing cavity 112 along the longitudinal axis L_(A)of the housing 111. The sleeve 120 comprises a first open end 124 and asecond opposing end 126. The second opposing end 126 of the sleeve 120is configured to allow air to enter the sleeve cavity 122. The secondopposing end 126 of the sleeve 120 is configured to form or induce aswirl on the air entering the sleeve cavity 122.

The holder 110 may include a piercing element 101 fixed to and extendingfrom a housing inner surface 109. The piercing element 101 may beconfigured to extend through the second opposing end 126 of the sleeve120 and into the sleeve cavity 122 along a longitudinal axis of thehousing 111. The holder 110 may include a spring element 102 configuredto bias the sleeve 120 away from the piercing element 101.

The sleeve 120 may include an elongated slot 128 (see FIG. 5 ) extendingalong a longitudinal length of the sleeve 120. The housing 111 mayfurther comprises a pin 127 extending from the inner surface 109 of thehousing cavity 112. The pin 127 may be configured to mate with theelongated slot 128.

An inhaler article 150 comprises the body 151 which extends along aninhaler longitudinal axis L_(A) from the mouthpiece end 154 to a distalend 156. A capsule cavity 155 is disposed within the body 151 and isbounded downstream by a filter element 157 and bounded upstream by anopen tubular element 153 defining a central passage 152. The centralpassage 152 forms an open air-inlet aperture extending from the distalend 156 of the body to the capsule cavity 155. The capsule 160 isdisposed within the capsule cavity 155. The central passage 152 has asmaller diameter then the capsule 160.

As illustrated with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , the central passage152 of the inhaler article 150 open tubular element 153 aligns and mateswith a central passage 132 of the sleeve tubular element 130.

Inhalation air inlets 138 enter the sleeve tubular element 130 at atangent to the sleeve tubular element 130 and form swirling inhalationairflow to the central passage 152 of a received inhaler article 150open tubular element 153. The swirling inhalation airflow flows alongthe central passage 152 of a received inhaler article 150 open tubularelement 153 downstream to the capsule cavity to induce capsule rotationand release particles into the inhalation airflow.

The sleeve 120 defines a first air inlet zone 170 comprising at leastone air aperture 129 through the sleeve 120. The first air inlet zone170 proximate to the first open end 124 of the sleeve 120. The first airinlet zone 170 is configured to allow air to flow to an airflow channelformed between the sleeve 120 and the housing 111. The sleeve comprisesa second air inlet zone 180 in downstream from the first air inlet zone170. The second air inlet zone 180 comprising the second opposing end126 of the sleeve 120 is configured to allow air to enter the sleevecavity 122. The second air inlet zone 180 comprising at least one airaperture or air inlet 138 through the sleeve 120 and into the sleevetubular element 130 having the central passage 132.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another illustrativesleeve 120. The second opposing end 126 of the sleeve 120 comprises thesleeve tubular element 130 defining the central passage 132, an endsurface 136 and an open end 134. The central passage 132 in fluidcommunication with the sleeve cavity 122. The sleeve tubular element 130open end 132 may extend into the sleeve cavity 122. The sleeve tubularelement 130 includes at least one air inlet 138 allowing air to enterinto the central passage 132. The at least one air inlet 138 extends ina direction that is tangential to the central passage 132.

The distal end 156 of the inhaler article 150 may slides onto the sleevetubular element 130. Inhalation air inlets 138 enter the sleeve tubularelement 130 at a tangent to the central passage 132 and form swirlinginhalation airflow to the central passage 152 of a received inhalerarticle 150 open tubular element 153. The swirling inhalation airflowflows along the central passage 152 of a received inhaler article 150open tubular element 153 downstream to the capsule cavity to inducecapsule rotation and release particles into the inhalation airflow.

The sleeve tubular element 130 may extend into the sleeve cavity 122 andforms an annular recess 131 with the sleeve cavity 122 configured toreceive a distal end 156 of an inhaler article 150. The projectionformed by the sleeve tubular element 130 slides into the inhaler article150 open tubular element 153. The sleeve tubular element 130 isconfigured here to extend into a distal end 156 of an inhaler article150 received within the sleeve cavity 122.

The sleeve tubular element 130 may extend into the sleeve cavity 122about 5 mm and have an outer diameter of about 5.5 mm and an innerdiameter of about 4 mm. The central passage 152 of a received inhalerarticle 150 open tubular element 153 may have an inner diameter of about5.5 mm to provide an interference fit with the sleeve tubular element130 and annular recess 131.

FIGS. 7-10 cross-sectional schematic diagrams of illustrative sleevetubular element 130 with central passages 132 with one to fourtangential air inlets 138. The inner diameter of the sleeve tubularelement 130 may be about 4 mm. FIG. 7 illustrates a single tangentialair inlet 138 having a diameter of about 1.45 mm. FIG. 8 illustrates twotangential air inlets 138 each having a diameter of about 1 mm enteringthe sleeve tubular element 130 at 180 degrees from each other. FIG. 9illustrates three tangential air inlets 138 each having a diameter ofabout 0.85 mm entering the sleeve tubular element 130 at 120 degreesfrom each other. FIG. 10 illustrates four tangential air inlets 138 eachhaving a diameter of about 0.6 mm entering the sleeve tubular element130 at 90 degrees from each other.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A holder for an inhaler article comprising: ahousing comprising a housing cavity for receiving an inhaler article; asleeve configured to retain an inhaler article within the housingcavity, the sleeve being movable within the housing cavity along alongitudinal axis of the housing, the sleeve comprising: a sleevecavity; a first open end and a second opposing end, the first open endis configured to receive an inhaler article; the second opposing end ofthe sleeve comprising: a tubular element extending into the sleevecavity and having a central passage in fluid communication with thesleeve cavity, the tubular element comprising an outer surface having anouter diameter that faces an inner surface of the sleeve, the tubularelement forming an annular recess with the sleeve cavity configured toreceive a distal end of an inhaler article, and at least one air inlet;wherein the at least one air inlet extends in a direction that istangential to the central passage to allow air to enter the sleevecavity and to induce a swirled airflow pattern on the air entering thesleeve cavity.
 17. The holder according to claim 16, wherein the tubularelement comprises at least two air inlets, the at least two air inletsextend in a direction that is tangential to the central passage to allowair to enter the sleeve cavity and to induce a swirled airflow patternon the air entering the sleeve cavity.
 18. The holder according to claim16, wherein the annular recess is configured to retain a distal end ofan inhaler article.
 19. The holder according to claim 16, wherein thetubular element is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the housing.20. The holder according to claim 16, wherein the tubular element isconfigured to extend into a distal end of an inhaler article receivedwithin the sleeve cavity.
 21. The holder according to claim 16, furthercomprising a piercing element fixed to and extending from a housinginner surface, the piercing element being configured to extend throughthe second opposing end of the sleeve and into the sleeve cavity along alongitudinal axis of the housing.
 22. The holder according to claim 21,further comprising a spring element configured to bias the sleeve awayfrom the piercing element.
 23. The holder according to claim 16, whereinsubstantially all of the inhalation air enters the tubular element in adirection that is tangential to the central passage.
 24. The holderaccording to claim 16, wherein the sleeve comprises an elongated slotextending along a longitudinal length of the sleeve, and the housingfurther comprises a pin extending from an inner surface of the housingcavity, the pin configured to mate with the elongated slot.
 25. Theholder according to claim 16, wherein the sleeve defines an first airinlet zone comprising at least one air aperture through the sleeve, thefirst air inlet zone proximate to the first open end of the sleeve, thefirst air inlet zone configured to allow air to flow to an airflowchannel formed between the sleeve and the housing, and the sleevecomprises a second air inlet zone downstream from the first air inletzone, the second air inlet zone comprising the second opposing end ofthe sleeve configured to allow air to enter the sleeve cavity.
 26. Aninhaler system comprising: an inhaler article comprising a bodyextending along an inhaler longitudinal axis from a mouthpiece end to adistal end, and a capsule disposed within the inhaler article body; andthe holder for an inhaler article according to claim 16, wherein thesleeve retains the inhaler article received in the sleeve cavity.
 27. Aninhaler system according to claim 26, wherein the capsule is retainedwithin a capsule cavity and configured to receive swirling inhalationairflow formed by the second opposing end of the sleeve, the capsulecavity is bounded downstream by a filter element and bounded upstream byan open tubular element.
 28. An inhaler system according to claim 27,wherein the inhaler article open tubular element mates with the secondopposing end of the sleeve tubular element.
 29. The inhaler systemaccording to according to claim 26, wherein the mouthpiece end of theinhaler article forms the mouthpiece of the inhaler system.
 30. Theinhaler system according to according to claim 26, wherein the tubularelement of the second opposing end of the sleeve extends into the distalend of an inhaler article received within the sleeve cavity.
 31. Theinhaler system according to according to claim 27, wherein the tubularelement of the second opposing end of the sleeve extends into the opendistal end of an inhaler article received within the sleeve cavity. 32.The inhaler system according to according to claim 27, wherein theholder further comprises a piercing element configured to pierce thecapsule disposed in the inhaler article body.
 33. The inhaler systemaccording to according to claim 32, wherein the holder further comprisesa spring element to bias the inhaler article retained within the sleeveaway from the piercing element.
 34. An inhaler system according to claim27, wherein the inhaler article open tubular element mates with theannular recess at the sleeve second opposing end.
 35. An inhaler systemaccording to claim 26, wherein the inhaler article distal end mates withthe annular recess at the sleeve second opposing end.